since I wrote anything.
It has been a busy time, the RSL for Ribble Valley Radio has been and gone, the company I work for has been taken over (about time too), and the world has gone mad.
I usually think that people commenting on world events are somehow stupid. We have no influence on the politicians except at elections and then the choice is usually between Tweedledum and Tweedledumber. So what is the point in expressing any view? None whatsoever. However, I want to say that Israel has over reacted and is committing war crimes (under the agreed definition as their response to acts of aggression have been disproportionate and have targeted civilians).
Now, I have no idea how they should have targeted Hezbollah better. By being alongside the civilians Hezbollah have made any response difficult but the continued attacks on civilian targets is wrong. I understand that the aim is to disrupt the flow of munitions to the south of Lebanon. The consequence is only damaging to Israel's standing in the world. The politicians (the UK and US ones at least) may stand by them but public opinion will not for any length of time.
The only way to get rid of Hezbollah is to stop the aggression, rebuild Lebanon and have a peace keeping force until the growth of wealth denies Hezbollah the natural support that it has at present and that the aggression is building for the future.
Think about it. If you lived in a country that has been pummelled by it neighbour (whatever the provocation) would you be more likely to accept the punishment meekly or be drawn towards the only effective organisation that could offer a way of striking back?
Case closed.
Monday, July 24, 2006
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Ribble Valley Radio
Some time ago I mentioned Ribble Valley Radio. It is a small community radio in a beautiful part of Lancashire in the North West of England. I am the secretary for the group and we broadcast on a temporary licence last year for 28 days. We plan to broadcast again this June.
The problem, of course, is money. To broadcast you need a studio and a licence. Last year we started fromn scratch and raised something like £27,000. We spent £26,000. £21,000 went on equipment and £5,000 on the 28 day licence and the Performing Rights fees. Fundraising is starting again in earnest now that our AGM is out of the way and some new blood has joined the committee. On Saturday, 15th April, we are holding an 'eggstravaganza' in the local community hall. Lots of stalls and games. It should prove to be fun and exciting for the local kids, with luck it will also boost our funds, with luck.
I have been involved in some community projects before and one thing that you have to accept is that the people that are also involved are volunteers. This means that they are enthusiatic, over optomistic and often take on more than they can guarantee to do. Take this event for example. Lots of good work has been done and the range of events is wonderful, from childrens' fancy dress to roll a penny and splat the rat (whatever that is). However, the guy producing the posters has gone down sick, the number of people who volunteered to help has dwindled - after all families want to 'do' something over a long holiday weekend - and at the final co-ordination meeting last night there was an undercurrent of mild panic.
I have no doubt that this will prove to be a success, honest. This sense of unease is common on all the events I have been part of in the past, but for the newcomers it is unsettling. The main danger in running a community group is that because some people take on too much one or two individuals pick up the slack and run the risk of burn out.
I think that the point of this article is to say to anyone involved in a community project 'don't panic!' Believe in the dream and keep plodding on. If the eggstravaganza is not a success we will try again with another fundraising event, we will reach our targets, we will be on air in June, then again in December.
Already more fundraisers are in the planning stage. We will have a balloon race with upto 5,000 balloons in July and (my favourite) at least 3 rock concerts featuring local bands, also in July. With each of those events there will be the sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach as the doors open "will anyone come?" and after each event we will learn more and improve for the next time.
It does not matter what your interests are, get involved in your community.
Put something back!!
The problem, of course, is money. To broadcast you need a studio and a licence. Last year we started fromn scratch and raised something like £27,000. We spent £26,000. £21,000 went on equipment and £5,000 on the 28 day licence and the Performing Rights fees. Fundraising is starting again in earnest now that our AGM is out of the way and some new blood has joined the committee. On Saturday, 15th April, we are holding an 'eggstravaganza' in the local community hall. Lots of stalls and games. It should prove to be fun and exciting for the local kids, with luck it will also boost our funds, with luck.
I have been involved in some community projects before and one thing that you have to accept is that the people that are also involved are volunteers. This means that they are enthusiatic, over optomistic and often take on more than they can guarantee to do. Take this event for example. Lots of good work has been done and the range of events is wonderful, from childrens' fancy dress to roll a penny and splat the rat (whatever that is). However, the guy producing the posters has gone down sick, the number of people who volunteered to help has dwindled - after all families want to 'do' something over a long holiday weekend - and at the final co-ordination meeting last night there was an undercurrent of mild panic.
I have no doubt that this will prove to be a success, honest. This sense of unease is common on all the events I have been part of in the past, but for the newcomers it is unsettling. The main danger in running a community group is that because some people take on too much one or two individuals pick up the slack and run the risk of burn out.
I think that the point of this article is to say to anyone involved in a community project 'don't panic!' Believe in the dream and keep plodding on. If the eggstravaganza is not a success we will try again with another fundraising event, we will reach our targets, we will be on air in June, then again in December.
Already more fundraisers are in the planning stage. We will have a balloon race with upto 5,000 balloons in July and (my favourite) at least 3 rock concerts featuring local bands, also in July. With each of those events there will be the sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach as the doors open "will anyone come?" and after each event we will learn more and improve for the next time.
It does not matter what your interests are, get involved in your community.
Put something back!!
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
ID Cards
I am a Labour voter. I have always voted Labour, I used to be active in the party, but I do not understand the party anymore.
I can not see what ID cards will do for us. To be of any use they would need to be compulsory. If they were compulsory I still doubt if they would put off any terrorist. The authorities would have to find the terrorist before looking at the ID card. ID cards will be forged, of course they will do not believe anyone saying that they will be forgery proof no such animal exists. People will not always carry them and unless the police prosecute everyone that can not produce one one of the main 'benefits' goes out the window.
In any event they have ID cards in Germany and terrorists still operate out of there, as we all know to our cost.
More than their effectiveness, or lack of. What I object to is the idea of having to have one at all. There seems to be a creeping erosion of civil liberties. As far as I can see the legislation will enable the police to stop people who look suspicious in their eyes (i.e. asian) and if they do not have a card with them detain them. Do not be fooled this will happen. The authorities will not be stopping prosperous looking white males. All that will happen is that the ethnic minorities will feel further isolated and resentful.
The point of terror is to terrorise. To spread discontent and to make your enemies give up that which they hold dear.
And this from a party that I have always supported and expected to uphold my rights. I will continue to vote Labour but this is no longer the party I joined and worked for 30 years ago.
I can not see what ID cards will do for us. To be of any use they would need to be compulsory. If they were compulsory I still doubt if they would put off any terrorist. The authorities would have to find the terrorist before looking at the ID card. ID cards will be forged, of course they will do not believe anyone saying that they will be forgery proof no such animal exists. People will not always carry them and unless the police prosecute everyone that can not produce one one of the main 'benefits' goes out the window.
In any event they have ID cards in Germany and terrorists still operate out of there, as we all know to our cost.
More than their effectiveness, or lack of. What I object to is the idea of having to have one at all. There seems to be a creeping erosion of civil liberties. As far as I can see the legislation will enable the police to stop people who look suspicious in their eyes (i.e. asian) and if they do not have a card with them detain them. Do not be fooled this will happen. The authorities will not be stopping prosperous looking white males. All that will happen is that the ethnic minorities will feel further isolated and resentful.
The point of terror is to terrorise. To spread discontent and to make your enemies give up that which they hold dear.
And this from a party that I have always supported and expected to uphold my rights. I will continue to vote Labour but this is no longer the party I joined and worked for 30 years ago.
Familly Tree
A few weeks ago I was bored and idly messing about at home and came across a familly tree web site. For no other reason than having nothing better to do I started to fill ut my familly tree. Now, I have lost touch with my familly and so the entry was quite small. The day before yesterday I had an email.
Suddenly I have found 47 other 'members' of my familly! Some are distant relations by marriage but I now also have a great grandfather and mother. The chap sending the email to ask whether one of my ancestors couldbe linked to his turns out to be my second cousin, although I have never really understood that stuff.
I now also realise that he visited my auntie on the farm where she lived 40 years ago, as did I. He also knew that one of my aunties had died and met my sisters, who I have not seen for 15 years.
As they say, small world.
Suddenly I have found 47 other 'members' of my familly! Some are distant relations by marriage but I now also have a great grandfather and mother. The chap sending the email to ask whether one of my ancestors couldbe linked to his turns out to be my second cousin, although I have never really understood that stuff.
I now also realise that he visited my auntie on the farm where she lived 40 years ago, as did I. He also knew that one of my aunties had died and met my sisters, who I have not seen for 15 years.
As they say, small world.
Monday, February 13, 2006
Monday Morning
In at work after a very short weekend.
The first cup of coffee and all those things that I would have done last week if I had time are still here to be done today. As a trainer in a light engineering company in Lancashire I actually got to do some training last week, for the first time in a while. Most of my time is spent completing training needs analysis and writing procedures. All of which need to be done but I am paid to train.
The problem is that no one has been training for the past 2 years and all the procedures and back up stuff are out of date................
I have nothing profound to say, ever. This is more of a do something just to get started in the morning sort of post.
One interesting thing is that I had an email from a guy who handles Jeff Scott Soto's tours in this country. JSS will come and be interviewed and record an accoustic set for me in May. This will be the first international musician on Ribble Valley Radio and although not really a devotee of his music I am very excited by the prospect.
If you live in Lancashire and get the opportunity to see a band called 'Oversight' you must do it. They are a trio of young lads, about 17 who do some covers of standard rock stuff but also write their own music. They are gaining quite a following locally and have played in Manchester Acadamy, Southport etc. I had them into the studio when we were on air in December and nice lads they were too. But so young. (Everyone looks young to me these days). I had forgotten what it was like to believe that I was going to be a rock star and have the whole of my life ahead of me. Very refreshing.
Perhaps I will go into the trials and tribulations of starting a radio station from scratch in a few days.
Take Care.
Phil
The first cup of coffee and all those things that I would have done last week if I had time are still here to be done today. As a trainer in a light engineering company in Lancashire I actually got to do some training last week, for the first time in a while. Most of my time is spent completing training needs analysis and writing procedures. All of which need to be done but I am paid to train.
The problem is that no one has been training for the past 2 years and all the procedures and back up stuff are out of date................
I have nothing profound to say, ever. This is more of a do something just to get started in the morning sort of post.
One interesting thing is that I had an email from a guy who handles Jeff Scott Soto's tours in this country. JSS will come and be interviewed and record an accoustic set for me in May. This will be the first international musician on Ribble Valley Radio and although not really a devotee of his music I am very excited by the prospect.
If you live in Lancashire and get the opportunity to see a band called 'Oversight' you must do it. They are a trio of young lads, about 17 who do some covers of standard rock stuff but also write their own music. They are gaining quite a following locally and have played in Manchester Acadamy, Southport etc. I had them into the studio when we were on air in December and nice lads they were too. But so young. (Everyone looks young to me these days). I had forgotten what it was like to believe that I was going to be a rock star and have the whole of my life ahead of me. Very refreshing.
Perhaps I will go into the trials and tribulations of starting a radio station from scratch in a few days.
Take Care.
Phil
Sunday, February 12, 2006
First Things
OK.
So now I have a blog. Who is going to read it? Don't they (you) have better things to do? Why did I want to do tis in the first place? (Seemed like a good idea at the time..............) What are blogs good for? - Let me know.
So now I have a blog. Who is going to read it? Don't they (you) have better things to do? Why did I want to do tis in the first place? (Seemed like a good idea at the time..............) What are blogs good for? - Let me know.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
